Nice Thai Policemen - Your Stories

[silverb]

Thanks very much.

[F1fanatic]

Like a previous poster, I have never had 'tea money' requested by the police.

I've been stopped fairly often by the police at Chalong Circle (god knows why - they just stop as many as possible on scooters to check their license and, presumably tax cert etc.), but have then always been waved away.

Presumably one has to be actually breaking the law before 'tea money' is requested?

absolutely incorrect - they will invent a crime if none is committed - it has happened to me on a number of occasions in bkk - the most popular being "your front wheel crossed the line after the red light was showing" - others include "going to fast", "dangerous driving" and the mysterious "incorrect wearing of helmet"....

they are looking for easy money from thai drivers many of whom are uninsured, unlicensed or who's vehicles have some defect (faulty lights, no number plate etc).

the reason they wave on a farang with legit papers etc. is that experience tells them that most farangs know their rights and will not stand for their slimy shakedowns, whereas thais will be frightened of the uniform and pay up....

I'll take your word for it. Obviously Bangkok is far worse than the tourist hub of Phuket.

[LDNBKK86]

Good cop, bad cop. I was pulled over for no reason on my bike, decided just pay and get on with it. Drove off cursing in my helmet at the shear cheek of the fat policeman that stopped me.

Then...

My clutch snapped by Chit Lom BTS, outside the police box. The policeman saw me, ran out, helped me get my bike on the pavement next to the box, made me a coffee, stopped a taxi bike, demanded him to drive 20 minutes to the policemans cousins garage, garage guy turns up, fixes clutch (200 Baht) - then the police guy brought me an orange juice even when I offered to buy it. I sat in there for a few more hours talking about stuff at the end I offered him 500 Baht for helping me, he was offended and told me how he doesn't want to take any money. Nice guy.

[Fookhaht]

I have to say that, on the whole, I am starting to feel like there might actually be a bunch of Farang I'd enjoy having a drink with. Thanks guys, keep them coming.

That's a really nice comment. Especially after getting an inferiority complex from another thread where the poster called us all "grumpy old men."

[draftvader]

I have to say that, on the whole, I am starting to feel like there might actually be a bunch of Farang I'd enjoy having a drink with. Thanks guys, keep them coming.

That's a really nice comment. Especially after getting an inferiority complex from another thread where the poster called us all "grumpy old men."

Wouldn't it just be nice to sit for an evening and share stories like this rather than the "Thais are so ..........." or "This country is so .........." and "They couldn't do x,y or z if they were shown a thousand times". Yep, there are plenty of criticisms to be made in this country, but the only person suffering from the criticism is the person making it. Too many people trying to change Thailand and not enough people changing to Thailand. I for one would actually enjoy an evening of "This Thai person helped me .....".

I have a delightful story of a Thai stranger reaching out and helping without asking for anything in return, but it isn't police related (well there is a policeman in it). I'll share it if people following this thread want me to.

[Fookhaht]

I have to say that, on the whole, I am starting to feel like there might actually be a bunch of Farang I'd enjoy having a drink with. Thanks guys, keep them coming.

That's a really nice comment. Especially after getting an inferiority complex from another thread where the poster called us all "grumpy old men."

Wouldn't it just be nice to sit for an evening and share stories like this rather than the "Thais are so ..........." or "This country is so .........." and "They couldn't do x,y or z if they were shown a thousand times". Yep, there are plenty of criticisms to be made in this country, but the only person suffering from the criticism is the person making it. Too many people trying to change Thailand and not enough people changing to Thailand. I for one would actually enjoy an evening of "This Thai person helped me .....".

I have a delightful story of a Thai stranger reaching out and helping without asking for anything in return, but it isn't police related (well there is a policeman in it). I'll share it if people following this thread want me to.

Of course, expand our horizons.

[richard_smith237]

Over 10 years ago I inadvertently shared a table in a night club with another Thai chappy. We got along well, later to become good friends and socialise numerous times throughout the week.

On many occasions I joined in with his extended group of friends. For approximately 2 years, when out with his friends, I was not permitted to pay my share of the bill – I was a ‘guest in Thailand’

Moving on a few years we all played football in the same team in a local friendly league.

I had to request that I am permitted to pay my share of our social bills, after which point I felt I had passed a point of acceptance not as a guest, but simply as a friend of the group.

Many years later my friend and I consider each other best friends and not a week goes by without catching up, I am god father to my friends child, I was introduced to and two years later married his Wife’s close friend. We often holiday together. Until I met my wife my Thai friends are possibly one of the many reasons I have remained in Thailand when I could live anywhere.

Oh… My best mate and friends are all policemen of varying departments and positions (Immigration, CSD, Local Police, Interpol). Through them I hear of many stories of the good they do, and for those involved with Westerners some of the idiotic things we (as westerners) get up to. I am thankful they don’t tar us all (as Westerners) with the same brush.

In general life we (as Westerners) would not meet my friends in their working positions. However, through them it has become clear that those policemen who we may encounter are very junior and in most cases are simply doing their best to help when they can do while also trying to make ends meet.

They are disgusted by the extreme examples of corruption, in short they are like anyone else.

So, stories of good policemen?…. Not really, my experience is that they are simply like you and I and aren’t we all good with one or two bad apples in our midst?

Am I surprised at any of the stories of police helping us? Not at all, and why should I be, just because someone has joined a police force does not exempt them from being part of the compassionate human race…

[draftvader]

At the start of the flooding in Bangkok my wife (English) was 41 weeks pregnant. Our plans for the birth were trashed as we watched the water enter our soi and get deeper and deeper. Our escape was dramatic, to say the least, and (to cut another LONG story short) ended with us in an apartment in Rawai Beach, Phuket (we had travelled extensively throughout Thailand during our time, but never been to Phuket).

2 days after our arrival our daughter, Amara Bua Grace, was delivered by me, in the bathroom of the apartment as a healthy 3.6kg 49cm baby (another long story, but we knew we wouldn't have a hospital birth as the system here is SO anti natural birth it is ludicrous). Straight after the birth an American, mid-wife, friend of ours from Bangkok arrived at the apartment to assist us (she flew down from Bangok, but was collecting her bags when Amara was born). The rest of the night was, as any father knows, a manic blur of "what now?".

The next day we started to think about getting the birth registered, but without having the birth in the hospital we knew this would be problematic and our "problem solving" Thai friends really only have influence in Bangkok, so we were alone. Our friend called a German friend of hers who lived locally, she came over and the 4 of us started to think about what to do. The German lady called Phuket Town Hall and had a long conversation with a chap there. A few hours later, after work, this man helpfully dropped by to explain how we could go about this. He called the local Pu Yai Baan (bad transliteration, but it's all you are getting) who sent his assistant (the policeman) over to explain a little more. The policeman spoke enough English and he explained that we would need the signature of the apartment owner (snag, the owner is Russian and in Russia). A little head-scratching and us explaining that we would arrive back in Bangkok too late to solve this there (12 day registration limit on births in Thailand), the assistant told us he would come by the next day at lunchtime.

The next day the policeman came round, told me to get everything I could and come with him. He took me, in his car, to the Pu Yai Baan in Rawai. We sat for an hour filling in the form and it became apparent that we were going to have some problems with the registration.

Over the course of the next 2 days the Pu Yai Baan (Pi Sin...an angel) travelled into Phuket town 3 times with me to arrange translations, butter up a few friends, copy documents and put his house-book down as the birth location to save having to find the Russian condo owners. He had us at the front of every queue in Town Hall and even had me join a coffee morning with the local administrators in their offices.

We must have spent a good 8 hours going backwards and forwards, sorting out this, sorting out that. Finally, clutching my daughters Thai birth certificate (what a story for her) I asked him what next. He told me to come back when we were heading to Bangkok to collect copies of his house-book to help transfer Amara to our house-book (another story, but our condo owner is putting her on his house-book, nice chap). I fully expected (and was ready) to have to pay a "donation".

When we went back, a 10 day old family on the move, he just wanted to look at Amara and smile. When I offered him a "gift" to take to the temple he smiled and politely refused it. I placed it gently on the table and told him it was for Lord Buddha as he had given so kindly to us. He smiled, shook my hand, and waved myself and my new family off. He never wanted a single Baht for his efforts.

None of the 3 Thais that went out of their way to help us wanted anything from us in return except our safe and gentle landing into life as a family. We refer to these people as Amara's angels and they will forever be in our hearts.

I hope this story is OK because there was 1 policeman in it....and he was very nice!

[draftvader]

Over 10 years ago I inadvertently shared a table in a night club with another Thai chappy. We got along well, later to become good friends and socialise numerous times throughout the week.

On many occasions I joined in with his extended group of friends. For approximately 2 years, when out with his friends, I was not permitted to pay my share of the bill – I was a ‘guest in Thailand’

Moving on a few years we all played football in the same team in a local friendly league.

I had to request that I am permitted to pay my share of our social bills, after which point I felt I had passed a point of acceptance not as a guest, but simply as a friend of the group.

Many years later my friend and I consider each other best friends and not a week goes by without catching up, I am god father to my friends child, I was introduced to and two years later married his Wife’s close friend. We often holiday together. Until I met my wife my Thai friends are possibly one of the many reasons I have remained in Thailand when I could live anywhere.

Oh… My best mate and friends are all policemen of varying departments and positions (Immigration, CSD, Local Police, Interpol). Through them I hear of many stories of the good they do, and for those involved with Westerners some of the idiotic things we (as westerners) get up to. I am thankful they don’t tar us all (as Westerners) with the same brush.

In general life we (as Westerners) would not meet my friends in their working positions. However, through them it has become clear that those policemen who we may encounter are very junior and in most cases are simply doing their best to help when they can do while also trying to make ends meet.

They are disgusted by the extreme examples of corruption, in short they are like anyone else.

So, stories of good policemen?…. Not really, my experience is that they are simply like you and I and aren’t we all good with one or two bad apples in our midst?

Am I surprised at any of the stories of police helping us? Not at all, and why should I be, just because someone has joined a police force does not exempt them from being part of the compassionate human race…

Yep, but it is nice to make that point on ThaiVisa don't you think?

[richard_smith237]

Agreed, and as with many other TV members I’ve enjoyed reading this thread which as not been spoilt by the bitter, twisted and often bias and unreasonable members.

That said, there is a certain irony in the fact that this thread exists in the first place.

And, as not to waste a ‘posting plot’ I’ll add anther story…

BIB pulled me over on Petchabury Rd (my mistake), I donated 80 Baht to the tea fund. The Police officer then rested his arms on the door of my 4x4 and proceeded to chat away. A very pleasant fellow by all accounts, however as I’d been stopped right in the center of the road with traffic flowing either side of my car… I had to point out to the police officer of the precarious position he is in….

I’ve been stopped about 4 or 5 times in the last 7 years or so. Each and every time the police officer who stopped me has been extremely polite and friendly.

I believe that as with any other person they are likely only to respond assertively or aggressively if spoken to in that manner in the first place.

Another story: A friend of mine was travelling with a senior police man (my friends boss). This senior policemanis one of Thailand’s ‘Top 10’. Apparently his photo is posted in each station and each officer should be able to recognize them. I’m told that when pulled over for speeding (in an unmarked car) the my friends boss was extremely polite, the Police officer who pulled them over did not recognize the Senior Police officer. Apparently this is somewhat of a ‘Police faux-pas’… Instead of identifying himself to the Police officer on duty my friends boss quietly paid a B500 bribe.

When asked why he responded in such a subservient manner my friends boss replied “The Police officer is simply doing his job, its not his fault I was speeding and he pulled me over….”

Edited January 18, 2012 by richard_smith237

[SimonD]

Ahhh, this thread is all warm and fuzzy so I'll chip another one or two...

My first ever trip to Thailand and I'm in Chinatown trying to find some green silk on the roll. I had a hand-drawn 'map' but it didn't bear much resemblence to the maze of streets I found myself in. I asked directions at a police box and showed the officer my map, pointing to the 'X marks the spot' I was trying to reach. He scratched his head, smiled and turned the map upside down. He drew a route for me to follow and handed back the map. I thanked him, he saluted and I trooped confidently off...

I followed his directions as best I could but soon got hopelessly lost again. Up one soi, down another, through a covered market, over a bridge, under a walkway, across one busy junction and then over another and eventually found myself back at the original police box. He saw me and came over and again established which way I should go (straight back to the airport was probably on his mind) and and I set-off again.

Yup, you've guessed. After an even longer circumnavigation of Chinatown I was back again, although from a different direction and finally admitted defeat. I sat with the officer for a while and chatted with him (passable English, better than my Thai). I then realised I had no idea where I was in relation to my hotel and the officer had never heard of it. I remembered the hotel flyer in my wallet and showed it to him. He called the hotel to establish where it was, flagged down a taxi-meter and gave the driver directions to take me there. I bet he was glad to see the back of me. Had the patience of a saint, that policeman.

I've got one more but that's enough for now. Gotta go to the bar and get myself a drink.

[tombkk]

I hope this story is OK because there was 1 policeman in it....and he was very nice!

Nice story though.

[draftvader]

I hope this story is OK because there was 1 policeman in it....and he was very nice!

Nice story though.

A super special moment in our lives made even more special than I would have ever imagined by the generosity, compassion and involvement of strangers (including a Thai policeman). If Amara had been a boy I think she would have had all their names as middle names!

--EDIT (spelling mistake corrected)--

Edited January 19, 2012 by draftvader

[MrJohnson]

Over 10 years ago I inadvertently shared a table in a night club with another Thai chappy. We got along well, later to become good friends and socialise numerous times throughout the week.

On many occasions I joined in with his extended group of friends. For approximately 2 years, when out with his friends, I was not permitted to pay my share of the bill – I was a ‘guest in Thailand’

Moving on a few years we all played football in the same team in a local friendly league.

I had to request that I am permitted to pay my share of our social bills, after which point I felt I had passed a point of acceptance not as a guest, but simply as a friend of the group.

Many years later my friend and I consider each other best friends and not a week goes by without catching up, I am god father to my friends child, I was introduced to and two years later married his Wife’s close friend. We often holiday together. Until I met my wife my Thai friends are possibly one of the many reasons I have remained in Thailand when I could live anywhere.

Oh… My best mate and friends are all policemen of varying departments and positions (Immigration, CSD, Local Police, Interpol). Through them I hear of many stories of the good they do, and for those involved with Westerners some of the idiotic things we (as westerners) get up to. I am thankful they don’t tar us all (as Westerners) with the same brush.

In general life we (as Westerners) would not meet my friends in their working positions. However, through them it has become clear that those policemen who we may encounter are very junior and in most cases are simply doing their best to help when they can do while also trying to make ends meet.

They are disgusted by the extreme examples of corruption, in short they are like anyone else.

So, stories of good policemen?…. Not really, my experience is that they are simply like you and I and aren’t we all good with one or two bad apples in our midst?

Am I surprised at any of the stories of police helping us? Not at all, and why should I be, just because someone has joined a police force does not exempt them from being part of the compassionate human race…

Have just returned to this 'Good News' thread after a short hiatus. Great to see it still going strong. This is an interesting post and reminds me that there are plenty of ordinary Thais around who are not corrupt, not scammers, liars, cheats, thieves, money-grubbers...just ordinary folk trying to get along with their lives. Live and let live. It may not be easy for us as westerners/foreigners to make close friendships with Thais but I do believe it is certainly worth the effort.

[monty1412]

Samoeng loop CM on the bike with gf on back.. we stop opposite the police box. Policeman comes out and looks at bike, talks to gf and then goes in and comes out with two cups of coffee..... let him get on bike and took photos and emailed to him... nice guy

[monty1412]

Over 10 years ago I inadvertently shared a table in a night club with another Thai chappy. We got along well, later to become good friends and socialise numerous times throughout the week.

On many occasions I joined in with his extended group of friends. For approximately 2 years, when out with his friends, I was not permitted to pay my share of the bill – I was a ‘guest in Thailand’

Moving on a few years we all played football in the same team in a local friendly league.

I had to request that I am permitted to pay my share of our social bills, after which point I felt I had passed a point of acceptance not as a guest, but simply as a friend of the group.

Many years later my friend and I consider each other best friends and not a week goes by without catching up, I am god father to my friends child, I was introduced to and two years later married his Wife’s close friend. We often holiday together. Until I met my wife my Thai friends are possibly one of the many reasons I have remained in Thailand when I could live anywhere.

Oh… My best mate and friends are all policemen of varying departments and positions (Immigration, CSD, Local Police, Interpol). Through them I hear of many stories of the good they do, and for those involved with Westerners some of the idiotic things we (as westerners) get up to. I am thankful they don’t tar us all (as Westerners) with the same brush.

In general life we (as Westerners) would not meet my friends in their working positions. However, through them it has become clear that those policemen who we may encounter are very junior and in most cases are simply doing their best to help when they can do while also trying to make ends meet.

They are disgusted by the extreme examples of corruption, in short they are like anyone else.

So, stories of good policemen?…. Not really, my experience is that they are simply like you and I and aren’t we all good with one or two bad apples in our midst?

Am I surprised at any of the stories of police helping us? Not at all, and why should I be, just because someone has joined a police force does not exempt them from being part of the compassionate human race…

Nice post.. one point that does stand out to me and is worthy of consideration in any dealings with the BiB is that chances are the last farang they dealt with was some drunken half wit who has just bashed up the girl he has taken to his room.. there are especially in hot spots such as pattaya and Patong, so many <deleted> farangs from all countries that you almost cant blame the BIB at times if they seem disinterested or not willing to help. Courtesy, civility and a smile are best way to start an interaction.

[nocturn]

i once let a cop take a spin on my vfr 400 r after i got caught taking an illegal turn. no ticket, no fine.

[smokie36]

A cop once fined an acquaintance of mine 2k Baht. He could have hit me for the same but chose not to.

Turns out the acquaintance was a real bellend. The cop chose well that day. I salute him!

[lannarebirth]

I've met lots of nice Thai policemen and with the rare exception they were all drunks as well. Of all the cards of high ranking poloce officials I've been handed, I've thrown them all away, save one. A decent man, with a decent family, whose risen high enough to do somone some good. Not to circumvent the law mind you, but not to be a victim of rapacious exploiters.

[Moonrakers]

More of an observation than an interaction..........

When the Tsunami hit, I was holidaying in Phuket. To cut a long story short, Mrs. Rakers and I were fortunate enough to escape to the safety of the hotel's roof.

From there, we had a full view of what was happening. Of course it wasn't pleasant. What I did notice though was a lone policeman risking getting caught up in the waves as he was running from hotel to hotel, to check up on people when the water went away enough. He was almost caught as well. One guy from our hotel was in a serious condition got help as a priority thanks to that policeman.

That policeman, whomever he is, deserves a medal.

[FiscalFizz]

I have read numerous threads/posts on this site over quite a long period that were most disparaging to the BIB.It is clear that police here are involved in all sorts of scams, take downs, protections and extortion. The problem for me is that I have never been subject to any of these kinds of activities. I read some of these posts and they read like some kind of conspiracy theory as if the Thai police target foreigners specifically. I drive a car, ride a motorbike, occasionally go out late at night, drive past the Asoke intersection (supposedly where many shake-downs occur) and have never been stopped, harassed or otherwise. I have, on two occasions, been stopped riding my scooter for traffic infringements, both of which I was guilty of. I paid an 'on the spot fine', by choice mind you and left after an amicable and friendly exchange. I got to know the traffic cops near my kids school. They have always been friendly and polite. I bumped into one in the street far from the school one day. He said "hello" but I did not recognize him because he was off-duty and strolling along with his family. He introduced his wife and daughter to me and then we went our separate ways. BTW - I am not a hi-so, do not have special phone numbers, police escorts etc. Just an ordinary Joe who is polite and civil. I find that, generally speaking, that is what I get in return from police and other Thais in general. I'm sure I will think of some other specific instances which I will post at a later date, if for no other reason than to ensure that a positive thread continues to have legs.

Kinda crazy how if you treat others with respect, you tend to get that back from them, no matter where you are in the world!!

Jackasses are all over the world. Awesome people are also all over the world. I have never been anywhere in the world where I felt like my attempts at politeness and kindness were futile...

Good post

[FiscalFizz]

I have to say that, on the whole, I am starting to feel like there might actually be a bunch of Farang I'd enjoy having a drink with. Thanks guys, keep them coming.

That's a really nice comment. Especially after getting an inferiority complex from another thread where the poster called us all "grumpy old men."

I am 26 years old, from the US. Grumpy Old Men are the most fun bunch to drink with! IMHO.

Cheers to Grumpy Old Men all over the world.

[Pseudolus]

I accidentally drove through a red light at an interception (Lumpini and the road leading up to Asoke). the police man pulled me over, got out his book, wrote me a ticket, got on his bike and drove off again. This was the nicest cop I've found here. He did his job. I almost followed him to try and give him a tip I was so impressed by this.

[h90]

some time ago, our company car broke.

we had to push it down the highway....that went nice but than a few hundred meters that were slightly up. The two policemen who organized the traffic came and help pushing for a very long way.

We all sweat like pigs. I thought in my home country with not corrupt police they would never do that. They may call some expensive service to take the car, but not work themself.

+ They refused to take any donations for their help!

Usual middle age one slim one fat policemen

[hughden]

Rolled my car on the way to Pattaya and was unconscious until I woke up in hospital with a broken back. Policeman at the scene had taken my phone and wallet and kept them safe until he could deliver them to my wife. Off-topic, but extra kudos to the taxi driver who drove me into Pattaya and hospital, even though my head was bleeding all over his seat.

Once I had recovered, policeman got a nice bottle of whisky, the taxi driver got some cash.

[phetaroi]

Quite a while back now, but I rented a car and was driving to Issan with a Thai friend. I was pulled over for passing on a solid line (although actually when I began passing it was a passing zone, but I had finished when it turned to a no passing zone). Two cops. The junior of the two did all the talking, and although I was driving I let my Thai friend do all the talking. He was oviously getting nowhere with his humble attitude...although it was going on for over 10 minutes. I happened to look at the senior policeman and smiled. He smiled, and then immediately said, "They can go." The younger policeman started to protest, but the senior officer said louder, "They can go!" No ticket. :-)

[draftvader]

Quite a while back now, but I rented a car and was driving to Issan with a Thai friend. I was pulled over for passing on a solid line (although actually when I began passing it was a passing zone, but I had finished when it turned to a no passing zone). Two cops. The junior of the two did all the talking, and although I was driving I let my Thai friend do all the talking. He was oviously getting nowhere with his humble attitude...although it was going on for over 10 minutes. I happened to look at the senior policeman and smiled. He smiled, and then immediately said, "They can go." The younger policeman started to protest, but the senior officer said louder, "They can go!" No ticket. :-)

So often a smile and sincere attempts at engaging are all it takes. That and being politely foreign. I speak enough Thai to get by (not great though), but I tend to be polite and apologetic in Thai but not give much more.

One time my wife and I were pulled over for "Jit Sai" (again) and after a lot of apologising and pretending to not understand enough he smiled at me, told my wife that she was beautiful, saluted and waved us on. I felt quite guilty about my pretence, but I know that it saves me against the less "shiny" ones so I have to keep it up.

[F1fanatic]

I have read numerous threads/posts on this site over quite a long period that were most disparaging to the BIB.It is clear that police here are involved in all sorts of scams, take downs, protections and extortion. The problem for me is that I have never been subject to any of these kinds of activities. I read some of these posts and they read like some kind of conspiracy theory as if the Thai police target foreigners specifically. I drive a car, ride a motorbike, occasionally go out late at night, drive past the Asoke intersection (supposedly where many shake-downs occur) and have never been stopped, harassed or otherwise. I have, on two occasions, been stopped riding my scooter for traffic infringements, both of which I was guilty of. I paid an 'on the spot fine', by choice mind you and left after an amicable and friendly exchange. I got to know the traffic cops near my kids school. They have always been friendly and polite. I bumped into one in the street far from the school one day. He said "hello" but I did not recognize him because he was off-duty and strolling along with his family. He introduced his wife and daughter to me and then we went our separate ways. BTW - I am not a hi-so, do not have special phone numbers, police escorts etc. Just an ordinary Joe who is polite and civil. I find that, generally speaking, that is what I get in return from police and other Thais in general. I'm sure I will think of some other specific instances which I will post at a later date, if for no other reason than to ensure that a positive thread continues to have legs.

Kinda crazy how if you treat others with respect, you tend to get that back from them, no matter where you are in the world!!

Jackasses are all over the world. Awesome people are also all over the world. I have never been anywhere in the world where I felt like my attempts at politeness and kindness were futile...

Good post

Give it time.... (Sorry, a bit cynical there).

As I said in an earlier post, I've never had any problems with the BIB - even though being pulled over fairly frequently.

The closest I came to a problem was when one of my dogs ran into the (quiet) road, and caused a motorcyclist to come off their bike (the driver had a few bruises but nothing else, but the passenger was still lying on the road). I ran out immediately and owned up to it being my dog. The police were called and a policeman turned up a few hours later to tell me I could be charged for allowing my dog on the road.

I hadn't been here long so assured him that I was obviously going to pay for any medical bills etc. The policeman looked embarrassed and said he'd refer it to his superior. I was terrified!

The next day (after I'd met both people on the bike, who were fine, and paid their medical bills +), the policeman was good enough to turn up again to tell me not to worry, no charges would be brought. He didn't need to, and even though (now) I'm a lot wiser... I still think it was nice of him to do so.

Somebody told me a while ago that policeman have to pay to get their 'positions'. Does anyone know if this is true?

[cdnvic]

Somebody told me a while ago that policeman have to pay to get their 'positions'. Does anyone know if this is true?

Not always, but it's certainly not unheard of. Same goes for prime postings.